Movable concrete pump comprising a distribution boom

ABSTRACT

A movable concrete pump comprising a structural frame ( 14 ) that is mounted on a truck undercarriage ( 10 ) of a truck chassis ( 12 ), a boom stand ( 22 ) which is disposed on the structural frame ( 14 ) and can be rotated about a vertical axis ( 20 ), and a concrete distribution boom ( 24 ) embodied as a multi-member articulated boom. In order to be able to use a distribution boom having a great range, a trailer ( 34 ) is provided that has its own undercarriage ( 34 ) and is connected to the truck undercarriage ( 10 ) via a coupling member ( 36 ). The trailer ( 32 ) comprises a prop ( 40 ) which is rotatable about a vertical axis ( 38 ) and accommodates the set of arms that protrude from the rear end of the truck undercarriage ( 10 ) while driving on the road. The set of arms forms the coupling member ( 36 ) and encompasses a first boom arm ( 1 ) and additional boom arms ( 2  to  4 ) that are in a folded position relative to the first boom arm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national stage of PCT/EP2004/006024 filed Jun. 4,2004 and based upon DE 103 28 767.1 filed Jun. 25, 2003 under theInternational Convention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a mobile concrete pump with a structural framemounted on the undercarriage of a truck chassis, supportable upon theground with lifting up of the truck undercarriage, with a boom standprovided on the structural frame and rotatable about a vertical axis anda concrete distribution boom in the form of a multi-member articulatedboom including a first boom arm pivotable at a first articulationlinkage about a horizontal articulation axis relative to the boom standand additional boom arms pivotable relative to each other atarticulation linkages about the horizontal articulation axis.

2. Related Art of the Invention

Concrete pumps of this type receive concrete brought in to constructionsites by transport vehicles, and convey the concrete via thedistribution boom to a site in need of concrete. Conventionally theconcrete pumps are mounted upon multi-axis vehicle chassis withcontinuous, rigid structural frames. For heavy vehicles with a totalweight of greater than 24 tons multi-axle heavy duty chassis with highaxle loads are necessary. These are allowed to travel upon public roadsonly with special permission and are not allowed to use many lightlypaved roads and bridges. Further, in a self-propelled concrete pump ofthe above described type, it is known (EP-B-0038954) to use thesemi-trailer of a tractor trailer rig as a structural frame for theconcrete pump and the distribution boom. Therewith, while maintainingthe prescribed weight limits, the total tractor trailer can achieve anincrease in the reach of the distribution boom, and can do this withoutcompromise or loss in stability despite the comparatively light weightconstruction of the semi trailer. This was accomplished in that thetractor trailer rig is lifted from the ground with its weight ofapproximately 7 to 9 tons used as ballast for stabilizing thedistribution boom. However, here also the department of transportationregulations set a limit on the vehicle length and height, which impedesa further enlargement of the reach or range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Beginning therewith, is the task of the present invention to so improveknown mobile concrete pumps of the above described type in such a mannerthat, while maintaining within permissible axle loads and vehicleheights in the transport configuration, a significant increase in therange of the distribution boom can be achieved.

The inventive solution is based foremost on the idea that a trailer orfollower is provided, which has its own undercarriage, which in thetransport configuration can be connected with the truck undercarriagevia a coupling member. The inventive trailer includes a pivot mountrotatable about the vertical axis for receiving a set of arms thatprotrude out from the rear end of the truck undercarriage while drivingon the road, including a first boom arm and additional boom arms thatare in a folded configuration relative to the first boom arm and formthe coupling member. Thereby a significant increase in the range of theconcrete distribution boom is achieved, wherein at the same time, in thetransport configuration, the permissible vehicle length, vehicle heightand axle load established by the department of transportationregulations is not exceeded.

In order to negotiate relatively tight curves without collision despitethe greater vehicle length when in the transport configuration, it isproposed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,that in the configuration of travel the vertical axis of the boom standand the pivot mount are designed as the rotation axis of the couplingmember. A further preferred embodiment of the invention envisions thatin the configuration of travel the first articulation linkage betweenthe boom stand and first boom arm is freely pivotable about itsarticulation axis. Thereby it is achieved that the the truck chassis andthe trailer chassis exhibit an optimal contact with the ground both whentransitioning over a hill as well as when passing through a trough, andthat an overloading of individual axles in uneven terrain is avoided. Afurther improvement in this respect is achieved thereby that also thepivot mount is limitedly pivotable about an axis running transverse tothe trailer axis. Besides this, the pivot mount should be limitedlyrotatable about the vertical axis of the trailer.

Basically it is conceivable that the trailer is supplementallycoupleable with the truck undercarriage via a drawbar or towing bar. Afurther improvement in negotiating curves is achieved thereby, that thetrailer is self steering. The trailer can, for this, include at leasttwo preferably hydraulic coupled steering wheels. A further improvementis achieved thereby, that the trailer includes a steering device coupledelectronically with the steering unit of the truck undercarriage.

In order to more easily maneuver the trailer in the decoupled state, itis advantageous when it includes a motorized wheel propulsion. Besidesthis, the vehicle propulsion can be active, which could be ofsignificance above all in slippery environments.

In the operating configuration the set of arms which had been laid onthe pivot mount is raised. A preferred embodiment of the inventionenvisions that the trailer includes a pump with a material supplycontainer, which in the operating condition can be connected on theoutlet side with a conveyor conduit provided on the distribution boom.The motor drivable hydraulic power unit for driving the pump ispreferably located upon the structural frame associated with the truckundercarriage. For this purpose the structural frame is preferablydivided in two along a parting line, wherein the front part of thestructural frame is provided on the truck undercarriage of the truckchassis and carries the distribution boom, the front outrigger legs aswell as the hydraulic unit, and wherein the rearward part of thestructural frame is provided on the trailer and carries a pump unit withmaterial supply container and the rearward outrigger legs. The hydraulicunit can therein be connected via flexible hydraulic lines with ahydraulic drive mechanism for the rearward outrigger arms provided onthe trailer and for the pump unit.

In the operating condition the structural frame parts of the frame andthe trailer are rigidly connected with each other. Besides this, at thistime the pump unit is preferably automatically connected to the conveyorline associated with the distribution boom. Thereby the structural frameis supported in its totality upon the ground with the aid of the frontand the rear outrigger legs with lifting of the truck undercarriage andthe trailer undercarriage.

Preferably the distribution boom has at least four members. In thetransport configuration on the road it is bolted to the pivot mount ofthe trailer. The trailer is designed to have at least two axles.Depending upon the size of the set of arms it would also be conceivableto use three to six axle trailers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail onthe basis of the illustrative embodiment represented in schematic mannerin the figures. There is shown

FIG. 1 A side view of a mobile concrete pump with a four-armdistribution boom in the configuration of road travel; and

FIG. 2 A mobile concrete pump according to FIG. 1 in the operatingconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The mobile concrete pump shown in the figure includes a structural frame14 mounted on a truck undercarriage 10 of a truck chassis 12. Thestructural frame 14 carries a boom stand 22 rotatable about the verticalaxis 20 of the truck undercarriage 10, which carries a multi-memberconcrete distribution boom 24, which in the illustrative embodiment is afour member articulated boom. The articulated boom includes a first boomarm 1 pivotable relative to the boom stand 22 at a first articulationlinkage A with horizontal axis of articulation and additional boom arms2 to 4 pivotable relative to each other about horizontal articulationaxis at articulation linkages B through D. In the transportconfiguration (FIG. 1) the boom arms are so folded together andpositioned upon the truck undercarriage, that the vehicle length andvehicle height prescribed by department of transportation regulationsare not exceeded.

One special feature of the invention is comprised therein, that thestructural frame 14 is divided into two along a separation point orparting point 56 and that the mobile concrete pump in the configurationof travel on the road includes, besides the front part 14′ of thestructural frame 14 carrying truck undercarriage 10, a trailer 32, whichhas its own undercarriage 34 and carries the rear section of thestructural frame 14″. In the configuration of travel on the road thetruck undercarriage 10 is connected with the trailer 32 via a couplingmember 36. The trailer 32 includes a pivot mount 40 rotatable about thevertical axis 38 relative to the undercarriage 34 of the trailer, uponwhich, in the configuration of travel on the road, the section of theset of arms of the folded-together concrete distribution boom 24projecting beyond the rearward end of the truck undercarriage 10 issupportable. The set of arms forms, in the folded together position ofthe boom arms, the coupling member 36 between the truck undercarriage 10and the trailer 32.

The trailer 32 is designed to be self-steering. In the illustrativeembodiment it includes at least one steerable axle 50 with hydrauliccoupling. The steering device of the trailer is therein preferablyelectronically coupled with a steering device of the truck undercarriage10, so that the truck undercarriage 10 and the trailer 32 can executecornering coordinated to each other or independent of each other. Afurther special feature of the invention is comprised therein, that thevertical axis 20 and 38 of the boom stand 22 and the pivot mount 40 inthe transport configuration on the road form the free rotation axis ofthe coupling member 36. Further, in the transport configuration on theroad, the first articulation linkage A is freely pivotable about itsarticulation axis. By variation of the oil pressure in the drivecylinder of the articulation linkage A there is made possible, at thesame time, the control of the axial load distribution. Since besidesthis the pivot mount 40 is limitedly pivotable about an axis runningtransverse to the trailer axis, it is achieved that the truckundercarriage 10 of the truck chassis 12 and the undercarriage 34 of thetrailer 32 maintain, even when driving over a hill and during passingthrough of a trough, and optimal ground orientation, and further evenaxle load is maintained.

In the operating configuration the truck undercarriage 10 with the frontpart 14′ of the structural frame 14 and the trailer 32 with the rearwardpart 14″ of the structural frame are rigidly coupled to each other inthe area of parting 56. The rearward part 14′ of the structural framewhich is located on the trailer 32 carries a pump unit 26 in the form ofa two-cylinder thick matter pump with material supply container 28,which in the operating condition is on its outlet side connected with aconveyor line provided on the distribution boom 24. The truck chassis 12and the trailer 32 are jointly supportable upon the ground 18 withlifting of their truck undercarriage 10 and undercarriage 32. For thispurpose the structural frame 14 has, on its front part 14′ and on itsrearward part 14″, hydraulically operated outrigger legs 16′, 16″. Thedrive hydraulic for the outrigger legs 16′, 16″ and the pump unit 26includes a motor driven hydraulic equipment assembly or aggregate, whichis provided upon the frame side part 14′ of the structural frame 14. Thehydraulic equipment assembly 52 is connected via flexible hydrauliclines 54 with the hydraulic drive mechanisms for the outrigger legs 16″located on the trailer 32, for the pump unit 26 and for the wheel drive.

In summary the following can be concluded. The invention concerns amovable concrete pump comprising a structural frame 14 that is mountedon a truck undercarriage 10 of a truck chassis 12, a boom stand 22 whichis disposed on the structural frame 14 and can be rotated about avertical axis 20, and a concrete distribution boom 24 embodied as amulti-member articulated boom. In order to be able to use a distributionboom having a great range, a trailer 34 is provided that has its ownundercarriage 34 and is connected to the truck undercarriage 10 via acoupling member 36. The trailer 32 comprises a pivot mount 40 which isrotatable about a vertical axis 38 and accommodates the part of the setof arms that protrudes from the rear end of the truck undercarriage 10while driving on the road. The set of arms forms the coupling member 36and encompasses a first boom arm 1 and additional boom arms 2 to 4 thatare in a folded position relative to the first boom arm.

1. A mobile concrete pump with a structural frame (14) mounted on atruck undercarriage (10) of a truck chassis (12), the structural frame(14) supportable upon the ground (18) when lifting of the truckundercarriage (10), with a boom stand (22) rotatable about a verticalaxis (20) provided upon the structural frame (14) and with a concretedistribution boom (24) in the form of a multi-element articulated boom,including a first boom arm (1) pivotable relative to the boom stand (22)via a first articulation linkage (A) about a horizontal articulationaxis, and further boom arms (2 through 4) pivotable relative to eachother via articulation linkages (B-D) about horizontal articulationaxes, said boom foldable between a transport configuration and anoperating configuration, wherein when in said transport condition a partof said multi-element articulated boom extends beyond the back end ofsaid of the truck undercarriage (10), a trailer (32) connectable withthe truck undercarriage (10) via a coupling member (36) in the transportconfiguration on the road, which includes a pivot mount rotatable abouta vertical axis for receiving the part of the multi-element articulatedboom extending beyond the end of the truck undercarriage (10) in theconfiguration of travel on the road, which multi-element articulatedboom is comprised of the first boom arm (1) and the remaining boom arms(2 through 4) oriented in their folded in position relative to the firstboom arm, and which forms the coupling member (36).
 2. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the vertical axis (20, 38)of the boom stand (22) and the pivot mount (40) form the free rotationaxis of the coupling member (36) in the transport configuration.
 3. Themobile concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the firstarticulation linkage (A) is freely pivotable about its articulation axisin the transport configuration.
 4. The mobile concrete pump according toclaim 1, wherein the set of arms in the transport configuration arecoupled with the pivot mount pivotable about a transverse axis.
 5. Themobile concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein pivot mount (40) islimitedly pivotable about an axis (46) running transverse to the trailerlongitudinal axis.
 6. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 1,wherein the trailer (32) is self-steering.
 7. The mobile concrete pumpaccording to claim 1, wherein the trailer (32) includes at least two,preferably hydraulically, coupled steering wheels (50).
 8. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the trailer (32) includes asteering device coupled electronically with the steering device of thetruck undercarriage (10).
 9. The mobile concrete pump according to claim1, wherein the trailer (32) includes a motorized wheel drive.
 10. Themobile concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the trailer (32) isrigidly coupleable with the truck undercarriage and/or structural frame(14) when in the operating configuration.
 11. The mobile concrete pumpaccording to claim 1, wherein the trailer (32) carries a pump unit withmaterial supply container (28), which in the operating configuration ison its outlet side connectable with a conveyor line provided on thedistribution boom (24).
 12. The mobile concrete pump according to claim10, wherein the trailer (32) together with the truck undercarriagesection of the structural frame (14) is supportable upon the ground (18)with lifting of its undercarriage (34).
 13. The mobile concrete pumpaccording to claim 1, wherein on the truck undercarriage section of thestructural frame (14) a motor drivable hydraulic equipment assembly (52)is provided, which is connected via flexible hydraulic lines (54) with ahydraulic drive mechanism provided on the trailer (32) for supports (16)for supporting on the ground, for the pump unit (26) and for otherpossible users.
 14. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 13,wherein the pump unit (26) is a two cylinder thick matter pump with twohydraulic drive cylinders forming the drive mechanism.
 15. The mobileconcrete pump according to claim 10, wherein the structural frame (14)is divided into two parts at a parting location (56), wherein the frontpart (14′) is provided on the truck undercarriage (10) of the truckchassis and carries the distribution boom (24), the front support strutsor arms (16′) as well as hydraulic equipment assembly (52), and whereinthe rearward part (14″) is provided on the trailer (32) and carries thepump unit (26) with material supply container (28) and the rearwardsupport struts or legs (16″).
 16. The mobile concrete pump according toclaim 1, wherein the distribution boom (24) is at least four segmented.17. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 1, wherein the set ofarms in the transport configuration is bolted with the pivot mount (40)of the trailer (32).
 18. The mobile concrete pump according to claim 1,wherein the trailer (32) has at least two axles.
 19. The mobile concretepump according to claim 18, wherein the trailer (32) has three to fiveaxles.